Notice: Please note that the mods have requested that Meta-related discussions take place in /v/ModsOfAskVoat. If you wish to participate in this discussion, please do so HERE.

So by this point in time, most AskVoat posters are aware of the drama from recent days that led up to the removal AskVoat from the default subverse list. While trying to avoid getting too much into the bickering and finger pointing about what went down, I feel that we as the community (users and mods) need to try to have a conversation on getting things on the right track. Not everyone is going to have the same issues, but here are mine:

Why do posts sometimes get actioned for things that aren't expressly against the rules? By this I mean when something gets actioned for "soap-boxing." I've read the sidebar several times, and it's still not against the rules. This either needs to stop, or the rules need to be expanded or refined for greater nuance so that rule 3 doesn't become a catch-all that leads to user animosity. I favor the latter, but this is a conversation that needs to happen in the open because while not everyone has a problem with this, I'd like to see some trust-building happen. I'd also like to see any rules against something as nebulous as "soap-boxing" to come with a firm but concise definition so that it's clear to everyone.

Please keep rule 1 in its current iteration because the question mark rule was absurd.

What do you intend to do about perceived lack of impartiality of some of the mod team? Will the mods commit to fair, good faith moderation? I don't think you're all out to get me, but I'd like some reassurance that I'm not going to actioned for offending somebody, but that I will be actioned for breaking the (hopefully more well-defined) rules. I've been silenced and shouted down for having wrongthink before, and I'd rather not experience it again, which is part the appeal I find in voat, and that's why this is something that's kind of important to me to know.

What can be done to work toward getting the sub relisted as a default? Obviously this is something that will require effort from both the users and the mods. This is a popular and important subverse, and none of us want to see it go to crap, even if our definitions of crap might not be the same.

I fully admit to having taken part in the dissension that revolves around this whole mess, but I would like to believe it was in the interest of keeping voat a free and open space where we can have discussions without fear of being shut down for stepping on the wrong toes. However, there's been nothing obvious pointing toward any activity focused on getting this crap sorted out, and I would like to posit the notion that these efforts, if they're happening, need to do so in the open where AskVoat users can easily participate in that if they're interested in doing so. Obviously, I have no control or power over the situation to make any of that stuff happen or get answers to those questions, but I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest a dialogue be created to approach some of these things.

If someone would shill for coca cola or whatever, then we would have the rule to legitimize removing it. I don't think it has ever been used to far. Self-promotion is a more controversial point for me and it might get removed in the future.

If someone would shill for coca cola or whatever, then we would have the rule to legitimize removing it. I don't think it has ever been used to far. Self-promotion is a more controversial point for me and it might get removed in the future.